Ready-to-Eat Meals - Eastern Africa

Eastern Africa

Highlights

Revenue in the Ready-to-Eat Meals market amounts to US$9.18bn in 2024. The market is expected to grow annually by 10.94% (CAGR 2024-2029).
In global comparison, most revenue is generated China (US$149bn in 2024).
In relation to total population figures, per person revenues of US$20.00 are generated in 2024.
In the Ready-to-Eat Meals market, volume is expected to amount to 2.24bn kg by 2029. The Ready-to-Eat Meals market is expected to show a volume growth of 5.1% in 2025.0.
The average volume per person in the Ready-to-Eat Meals market is expected to amount to 4.1kg in 2024.

Key regions:

Market definitionIn-Scope/Out-of-scopeMarket structureMethodology

The Ready-to-Eat Meals market in Eastern Africa is witnessing restrained growth, attributed to factors such as changing consumer preferences and slow economic growth. Convenience and ease of access to these meals are the key drivers of the market's growth in the region.

Customer preferences: The Ready-to-Eat Meals Market of the Convenience Food Market within The Food market in Eastern Africa is witnessing a rise in demand for healthier and more nutritious options. This trend is driven by a growing awareness of the importance of healthy eating and lifestyle choices, as well as an increasing number of health-conscious consumers. As a result, there is a growing demand for convenience foods that are low in calories, sugar, and fat, and high in essential nutrients. This shift towards healthier options is also influenced by cultural norms and preferences for fresh and natural ingredients in the region.

Trends in the market: In Eastern Africa, the Ready-to-Eat Meals Market of the Convenience Food Market within The Food market is experiencing a surge in demand due to the increasing urbanization and changing lifestyles of consumers. This trend is expected to continue in the coming years, with a growing number of consumers seeking convenient and time-saving meal options. Additionally, there is a rising interest in healthy and nutritious ready-to-eat meals, leading to the development of new products with functional ingredients. This trend has significant implications for industry stakeholders, as there is a need for innovative and sustainable packaging solutions to meet the demand for ready-to-eat meals in the region.

Local special circumstances: In Eastern Africa, the Ready-to-Eat Meals Market of the Convenience Food Market within The Food market is influenced by various factors unique to the region. The geographic diversity of the region, with its varying landscapes and climates, presents challenges for distribution and storage of ready-to-eat meals. Cultural preferences and dietary habits also play a significant role in shaping the demand for different types of convenience foods. Additionally, regulatory hurdles and limited infrastructure for food processing and packaging pose challenges for market players. Overall, these local factors contribute to a complex and dynamic market for ready-to-eat meals in Eastern Africa, driving the need for tailored strategies and solutions.

Underlying macroeconomic factors: The Ready-to-Eat Meals Market of the Convenience Food Market within The Food market in Eastern Africa is impacted by various macroeconomic factors. These include global economic trends, national economic health, fiscal policies, and other relevant financial indicators. For instance, countries with strong economic growth and stable fiscal policies are likely to see a higher demand for convenience food products, including ready-to-eat meals. Furthermore, the increasing urbanization and busy lifestyles in the region are also driving the demand for convenient and easy-to-prepare meals. However, market growth may be hindered by challenges such as high import tariffs, inflation, and currency fluctuations in some countries.

Data coverage:

The data encompasses B2C enterprises. Figures are based on the total consumer spending on food, which comprises all private household spending on food that is meant for at-home consumption (out-of-home consumption is not accounted for).

Modeling approach:

Market sizes are determined through a top-down approach, building on specific predefined factors for each market segment. As a basis for evaluating markets, we use resources from the Statista platform as well as in-house market research, national statistical offices, international institutions, trade associations, companies, the trade press, and the experience of our analysts. In addition, we use relevant key market indicators and data from country-specific associations, such as GDP, consumer spending, and consumer price index. This data helps us estimate the market size for each country individually.

Forecasts:

In our forecasts, we apply diverse forecasting techniques. The selection of forecasting techniques is based on the behavior of the relevant market. For example, the exponential trend smoothing is well suited for forecasting the Food market with a projected steady growth. The main drivers are GDP per capita and consumer spending per capita.

Additional notes:

The data is modeled using current exchange rates. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war are considered at a country-specific level. The market is updated twice a year.